SEEArt Fair at Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury in the Age of Magna Carta

Canterbury people were key players in the story of Magna Carta and the city was of major importance to king and country.

An exhibition, held in The Drawing Room at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge and organised in partnership with Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Canterbury Christ Church University for the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, sets the ground-breaking document in the context of Canterbury’s people and places.

It includes the copy of Magna Carta written into an official register of Canterbury Cathedral in 1290, along with an original earlier charter of Henry II setting out the rights of Canterbury citizens.

The exhibition also includes a rare glimpse of some of Canterbury’s highly important Victorian sculptures of the Magna Carta barons.

Open: 5 June to 6 September 2015, free admission.

For more details of this and many more exciting exhibitions, events, family activities and workshops at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, call 01227 862162 or visit: www.canterbury.co.uk/Beaney

To mark the occasion, the gallery is holding an exhibition of recent work from 20 of its leading artists. Running from 12 June until 8 September, the show spans styles ranging from contemporary figurative through to abstract work.

Among those exhibiting are artists who have supported the gallery from the start, including Royal Academician, Fred Cuming, and established artists Helen Sinclair, David Atkins and Alice Scrutton.

The exhibition will show new work from winners and finalists of awards such as the National Portrait Gallery’s BP Portrait awards alongside emerging talent.

Gallery owner, Andrew Fairfax Scrutton, says he loved the idea of juxtaposing a contemporary gallery with such an historic setting.

The spacious listed building has two floors of exhibition space and offers work of a standard rarely seen outside of London.

For further information call 01892 525525 or visit: www.fairfaxgallery.com

Sandgazer and friends

Following the success of the inaugural SEE ART Fair (South East England’s Art Fair) in July 2014, the boutique arts event returns to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells from 24-28 June and Phil Tufnell will perform the official opening.

The former England cricketer (and silversmith) held his very first solo exhibition of original artwork in 2014 with a 10-piece collection of eclectic artwork based around his alter ego ‘the cat’ said to relate to his exploits on and off the cricket pitch.

Among the many artists on show is Jenny Natusch, who is exhibiting Sandgazer, her photographs of close ups of sand grains from across the globe.

The actual sand grains in the photographs will also be exhibited and will be on sale and the proceeds of the sand grains will go to The Family Holiday Association who help struggling families get a break.

Each grain will fund a seaside trip for two families of four so that the children can feel sand between their toes for the very first time.

For more information and ticket prices, call 01892 670159 or visit www.seeartfair.co.uk.

Children’s Art Week

This June Children’s Art Week (13-21 June) offers the chance to get creative with your kids at one of the hundreds of events being held in venues around the UK.

With everything from ‘Weird & Wonderful Weaving’ to ‘Mosaic Making’ there’s something to engage children of all ages.

Many events are free while some may have a small charge to cover the cost of materials. Details of all Children’s Art Week events can be found at: www.childrensartweek.org.uk.